Again

Yesterday I saw two swans, flying low 

and silent. My eyes caught 

their glowing white. Later, 

a pileated woodpecker soaring, 

black wings wide, bright red head

a flag among barren trees. 

Last night I heard an owl

hooting long assertive notes, 

then a pause, finishing in a series 

of low breaths. I fell asleep 

in the forest's answering quiet. 

This morning, a day glow sun rose 

streaking pink into deep gray above

 the lunar landscape of late Winter.

It's like this. The world goes on. 

We can choose beauty again and again 

and again.